ROUNDUP: 'Viva Espaa' in Catalonia's capital

BARCELONA (dpa-AFX) – Barcelona's inner city is bathed in a flag sea. This Sunday, however, is not only the yellow and red striped Catalan flags fluttering in the sun. Many of the protected 300,000 demonstrators hold up the Spanish national flag. They walked the streets of Barcelona to demonstrate the unity of Spain. During their march through the center of the Catalan capital, they chanted "Viva Espaa", "I am Spaniards" or "Barcelona is Spain". They also called for the arrest of the separatist regional president, Carles Puigdemont, who had been deposed by the Spanish central government. Many feel betrayed by the separatists. In polls before the controversial referendum of 1 October, there had been no majority for a split.Catalonia was "seriously ill," says the 42-year-old technician Iaki Gonzlez. "The independence that they want to introduce is only for one party, not for all of us." For Mara Snchez it is her first demonstration: the action of the regional government on Friday had made her go to the streets, says the 33-year-old childminder. She feels helpless and tormented. "I do not know what will become of us." On Friday, the regional parliament passed an independence resolution. Then, on Saturday, the autonomous community of Catalonia placed under compulsory administration and announced new elections. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, according to media reports, commissioned his deputy, Soraya Senz de Santamara, to take over the daily business in the region. At the demonstration, Miguel ngel summarizes the mood of the unified voices. "Friday was a betrayal of the constitution, these people are criminals," he says, swerving a Spanish flag. Whether something has changed? No, he says. And he did not care the Republic of Catalonia. "It is a banana republic anyway." The pro-Spanish Sociedad Civil Catalana (SCC) had the slogan "We are all Catalonia!" called. "The future is better within Spain and within Europe, which is why we are today." This is the reason why we are working on this issue here, "said the spokeswoman of the liberal Ciudadanos, to Arrimadas. The party was founded in Catalonia in 2006 as a counter-movement to separatist groups in the region and is now the fourth-strongest force in the Madrid parliament. After media reports, the general prosecutor could order the arrest of Puigdemont on Monday. Should he be convicted of rebellion or rebellion, he may be held for up to 30 years. Puigdemont had indicated on Saturday that he did not recognize his removal from office by the central government in Madrid. Against him, the rage of many protesters: "Puigdemont must go into prison", they demand before the seat of the regional government. "You stole us democracy", is on posters. In the new election on 21 December the separatists, however, according to a Sunday newspaper published in the Madrid newspaper "El Mundo" may have bad cards: According to them, they must be with a loss of the majority in the regional parliament. If now elected, the three parties seeking independence would have a combined total of at least 42.5 percent of the votes. They would thus reach 65 seats in Parliament. For the absolute majority, at least 68 seats are needed in Barcelona.Demonstrant Miguel ngel looks anxiously at the polls. There will be a conflict, especially if the sectarians do not come in, the 39-year-old says. "I'm afraid that violence can come." / He / DP / jha